4 Month Wants to Sleep on Me

you could try putting a ticking clock in the crib with him. I used to use a wind up travel clock. I have spritzed a little perfume on the sheet, where the baby could smell, but not lay on it, so he could "smell" me. I would pat him on the back until he went to sleep. There may even be something that sounds like a heartbeat out there now, but it worked for my boys.

If you aren't bothered - wear him! There are wonderful slings out there (easy to make too!), co-sleeping may not be "mainstream" but if you and your child are comfortable - that's what matters! I have gotten many more hours of sleep and peace than many of my friends, my children have gone on to be quite independent (not mommy dependent as some might have you believe). They are 13,7,5 & 2 currently and I plan to allow the next one the same "luxury". They are only small for a little while. Securing their attatchment with you only strengthens their own self image later!

It sounds like the trip may have just upset his routine and he needs the security of you and your breast to help him adjust. Something else to consider is that this is very common behavior for oncoming illness, growth spurts, and teething. He is clearly telling you that he needs you, so the best thing you can do is to be there for him. Good luck.

He is most likely attracted to your scent. It is familiar and comforting to him. Find a way to get your sent in his sleep bed. Let him sleep on your pillow or pillow case if you are worried about SIDS, you sleep on his fitted sheet before putting it on his bed. Or if you wear a particular lotion, powder or something find a way to get it into his bed. It works-when my daughter started this she was old enough to sleep on my pillow and it satisfied her. She is two now and every now and then I still find my pillows in her bed. Good luck.

I dont believe in letting a baby cry it out, especially between the ages of birth and 6mths. When taking a child on a trip and they arent in familiar territorites it takes awhile for them to get back on schedule and used to the things before the trip, give it time and just ease back into the normal routine.

Good Luck

I often have to re-program my kids after a grandparent trip. First lesson learned - dont' that that again - even if you are at grandma's. :) - I know grandma's don't want any cring and to be able to hold 24 hours a day, but keep the same routine you establish at home.

Second, I agree with the other mom that suggest a growth spurt. 4 months is classic for this. They commonly change routine, needs, and eating becuase of this. It's a whole new stage.

My advise, be patient. The crying it out thing I belive he is too young for. I've done it on my kids but they were much older (over a year) and that going in and out thing only encouraged it more, so if you are going to do it you have to be committed and only when the behavor ir behavoiral.

Right now, do what you can to survive this. Slowly start breaking the new habits, not holding as long, or switching to a swing (this is also the age they really start to love the swing). Just get back into a groove, it might take 2 weeks to do so, but hey we are all slow to change expecially if we like the current routine, so just keep that in mine. Your little guy is a human and love you very much, as you as well love him, so if you hold him a bit extra every now and again cherish it becuase it goes by why to fast.

This too shall pass :)

If he's 4 months old, then at your last check-up...did the Dr recommend beginning on cereal & other foods? This is a huge transition age, because so many things begin....more physical activity with rolling over & sitting up, actively chewing on hands for teething, hunger, & exploration, 1st baby foods, & sometimes even "stranger anxiety" can kick in.
To aid in soothing, try to keep a super-soft blankie between you & your child...this will aid in easing him away from needing you & only you ...as his "soother". I know this sounds cold, but if you are the only source for soothing...then your limitations will only increase with time. Using a blanket, allowing this to become your son's source of soothing, will allow you to teach him important skills which will carry through the toddler years.
& on a different note, both of my sons used a super-soft stuffed toy for soothing....rather than a blanket. The roundness of the toy fit perfectly against their cheeks & nestled in the crook of their shoulders...effectively mimicing Mom's breast. Crazy, but it worked!

I would let him cry it out. I know it is torture for you, but in the long run it will make life much easier. Read him story, cuddle and rock him, then lie him down. Go in every 5 - 10 minutes. Don't go in more often than that. Shhh him and pat his back for just a few seconds, then leave again. Don't pick him up because then the process starts all over again. Have faith. Once he can stand up or call you mama it will be so much harder!!! After 2 -3 days he will get the idea. If you do it consistantly for naps he will catch on more quickly! Good luck

Let the baby cry it out. I know it's hard but it will get better. And if your child is in a crib, he is safe. If you have to walk outside on the porch to not hear the crying, then do that but if you fall into the habit of letting the baby sleep with you or on you, this child will always need that and you may get to a point where he won't sleep anywhere ever without you right there. I know it's hard but crying it out will not hurt him. Maybe try one of those stuffed animals that produces 'white noise' to sooth. I have heard that works well.

I also don't believe in letting a baby cry it out. A baby's wants and needs are all the same. It will take a week or so, but your little guy will get back to his normal routine. My son, who is now 7 months used to sleep on me also. I would let him and when I thought he was in a deep sleep I would transfer him to our bed. Another thing to think about, 4 months is usually when babies have a growth spurt, so that is probably another reason he is nursing nonstop. Only advice I have is to give it time, and try not to get too frustrated. Good luck.

I have 4 kids and have never been able to do the cry it out, even with the twins. To me it is "cruel and unusual punishment" :) How can they learn to trust and bond, when the people taking care of them don't react to their only way of communication. Yes, I know the idea behind it and you are supposed to go in every so often to reassure them, but HELLO!! they have no reasoning skills at this time to understand what you are doing.
Sorry to get on a soap box, but I will not understand it myself, nor do I want to. I applaud you for going with your instincts. Check out some Dr. Sears books or other types on attachment parenting, you seem to be heading toward that type of parenting style since you are listening to your child. You may not agree with all of the attachment parenting style, but it is not an all or nothing type of thing either. Do only what works for you and your family.
hope that helps,
J.
PS You might try a baby sling, or some other babywearing system

Try getting a boppie....it actually acts as if the baby is in your wound & it gives them comfort.

I really believe that 4 mos is too young to "cry it out." Babies cry because something is wrong. Just because you can't see the problem doesn't mean it's not there. My youngest had inconsolable crying bouts until we realized she had acid reflux & got her on medication. Please use your instincts in caring for your baby. You really do know what's best. And when you get tired of breastfeeding for comfort, or having your baby sleep with you, you'll find a way to gently wean him off of those things.

I have a 6yo and almost 2yo. I wasn't able to breastfeed my oldest, but had great success with my almost 2yo. We tried CIO with the first and had minimal success. She would be "trained" and then she'd get sick or we'd travel, and we'd have to "train" her again. She STILL wakes up almost every night at 6 yrs old.

With my second, we took the "whatever it takes" approach to keep her happy-- sleeping with us when necessary for her or because of our sleep-deprivation (after making an honest effort to put her to sleep in her crib first), nursing to sleep & for comfort for the first year, and generally meeting any needs as quickly and compassionately as possible. She is now an absolute BREEZE to care for. She sleeps in her crib all night EVERY night (unless she's sick), and is generally a happy camper. I honestly believe this is because I nursed her so much (yes, even for comfort) in the first year and b/c she feels secure, knowing we are there for her if she needs anything.

Don't go against your instincts just because someone tells you that you "should." Good luck with everything!

Ps-- I highly recommend the books by Dr. William Sears (such as "The Baby Book")

Babies start getting into a routine, and when it is disrupted, or there are lots of other people that hold them, they can get clingy, crabby, overstimulated, and need down time. Babies under 6 mos cannot be spoiled IMHO, and so I would just hold him and nurse him as he wants to be. Give him a day or two to readjust now that you are home and getting back to normal, and he will too. Besides, it could be something else entirely, like teething or gas, and he may just need you right now. He'll be back to normal in no time. If he isn't, then you might consider an ear infection for the doc to look at, but I figure if you oil the squeaky wheel right now, he will eventually start feeling better and more secure, and life will get back to normal sooner than if you don't.

I agree with the post saying cry it out isn't appropriate under six months. You may even find it doesn't work for you after six months. It wasn't until my son was a year old that I felt he had the ability to soothe himself well enough to let him "cry it out." My son also wanted to sleep on me until about six months. Then he became more independent and now will only sleep alone in his crib. Babies tend to go through weird phases, but they are just that - phases. It won't be long before this is a memory and he has moved on to something else.